Liverpool star forward Sadio Mane made the “perfect” return from injury at Carrow Road against relegation strugglers Norwich City and the Senegal captain now looks primed to face La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was delighted with the impact of the 27-year-old Mane, after the winger returned from his hamstring setback to strike a stunning late goal against the Canaries, extending Liverpool’s unbeaten streak.
A 1-0 win moved the Merseyside giants 25 points clear of second-placed Manchester City, at the summit and it preserved their record of having dropped only two points all season in the campaign.
Mane and English midfielder James Milner both came off the bench after recent injury lay-offs to play their respective part in Liverpool’s 25th win in 26 league games this term.
While speaking to reporters after the game the 52-year-old German explained that he is glad to call Mane at his disposal from the bench even though the attacker could have started, “It helps when you have such quality on the bench to bring on. Sadio could have started, of course, but I wanted to have a free decision for Tuesday actually.
He further added that it was imperative for his players to get some minutes under their belt following their injury problems, “I don’t think too often and too much about these games, but when two players are back from injuries, like Sadio and Fabinho, you don’t think they can play two games. [Don’t think they] should play; can, yes, if you have to, but should play. And the quality of the other boys is just too big that you have to push somebody through. It was perfect for Sadio to get a few minutes. It looked like he was ready, yes.”
